A Knitting Machine for Carmelite Sisters in HondurasFriday, April 19, 2013

Success Story

Eight years ago five Mexican Carmelite Sisters came to Honduras in order to establish a convent there. Some good people gave them a piece of land with a mud-brick building on it. It was there that they began their strict enclosed life of prayer, silence and contemplation. God has blessed the community with new vocations and today there are already 12 Sisters, with more young women preparing to join the convent.

However, the community also has to support itself. Their strict contemplative rule does not allow these religious to leave their convent and engage in any secular activity. At the same time, they can rarely expect to receive donations locally. Sister Elisabeth Beatriz de la Madre de Dios wrote to ACN: "For many people the idea of the contemplative life of silence and prayer seems pointless, since they cannot see any practical benefits from it in the form of social works. Hence it is difficult to get help."

The Sisters endeavor to provide for their own support, but they can only carry out such activities as are compatible with their contemplative life. One possibility was the making of Mass vestments, stoles, corporals, altar cloths and other suchlike liturgical items. The demand is considerable, but the Sisters urgently needed a sewing and embroidery machine. They turned to ACN for help, and thanks to the generosity of our benefactors who heard her plea for assistance, we were able to help them.

Now they have written thanking us and assuring us of their prayers. They write joyfully: "May God reward you, and multiply all the good you are doing."

This now completed project is an example of our work. If you would like to support a similar project, then please indicate the reference code below when making your donation. Thank you.